Abortionist ordered to release records of woman's death

The mother of a woman who died during an abortion has secured a court order requiring an abortionist to release her daughter's medical records.

Eileen Smith's daughter Laura Hope Smith died during an abortion procedure at the Hyannis, Massachusetts office of abortionist Rapin Osathanondh on September 13, 2007.

Mrs. Smith had met with Osathanondh ten days after her daughter's death. He required her to meet him alone in a public place, refusing to allow her husband to accompany her. The doctor showed Mrs. Smith Laura's medical records, but did not allow her to copy them.

Upset by what she saw in those records, Mrs. Smith decided to take legal action to secure access to them.

"Although they are not in our hands yet, but should be soon. Let's hope they are the same records that I saw the first time," Smith told Operation Rescue. She is also seeking copies of her daughter's death certificate and autopsy report.

"The Smith family needs to know the truth about what happened to their daughter inside that abortionist's office so they can eventually find closure and healing. A cover-up is the worst thing that could happen for this family and the community. If Osathanondh is responsible for Laura's death on that abortion table, then he needs to be brought to justice so that other women don't suffer her fate," said Operation Rescue Senior Policy Advisor Cheryl Sullenger.